Apparatus and method of automatic spindle exchange on a textile machine

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and method for automatically carrying out substitution of a bare bobbin spindle for a fully packaged bobbin spindle through rotation of two spindles arranged in pairs around a common axis and transfer of a processing yarn from the old to the new bobbin while maintaining a continuous supply of the yarn as soon as the fully packaged condition is sensed, wherein both spindles are alternately braked after completion of this motion.

United 1 States Patent 1 51 3,695,52 1 Torii et al. 1451 t Oct. 3, 1972 [54] APPARATUS AND METHOD OF 3,355,117 11/1967 Gerhardt e: al ..242/18 A I AUTOMATIC sPINDLE EXCHANGE 0N 3,378,211 4/1968 Nuissl ..242/18 A A TEXTILE HI 3,521,826 7/1970 Schmick ..242/18 A [72] Inven Soichi Torii; r yoshi Ishikawa, FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS both of Kyoto-shi, Japan 73 Assignee: Torii Winding Machine Co., 1 111.,

Kyoto, Japan [22] Filed: Jan. 20, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 4,243

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Sept. 5, 1969 Japan ..44/69996 [52] U.S. Cl. ..242/18 A [51] Int. Cl. ..B65h 54/02 [58] Field of Search ..242/18 A, 25 A [56] 1 References Cited v UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,266,121 12/1941 Kinsella et al.....242/18 A UX 2,772,054 11/1956 Herele et al. .....242/l8 A 3,109,602 11/1963 Smith ..242/18 A 3,279,709 10/ 1966 Carlson et a1 ..242/18 A 1,104,156 2/1968 Great Britain ..242/18 A OTHER PUBLICATIONS Bromage, M. A. and Whiteley B. High-Speed Winding for a Continuous Process, Textile Institute and Industry, pages 125- 129, May, 1969. 1

I Primary Examiner-Stanley N. Gilreath AttorneyRobert E. Burns and Emmanuel J. Lobato [57] ABSTRACT 4 Claims, 22 Drawing Figures PAIENTEDum I912 3.695.521

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INVENTOR ATTORNEY P'A'TEmEnuma m2 3.695.521 SHEET UBUF 10 PHENTEDnms I972 3.695.521 sum mar 10 PATENTEDnms I912 3.695.521

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SHEET IBM 10 APPARATUS AN D'METI-IOD F AUTOMATIC SPINDLE EXCHANGE ON A TEXTILE MACHINE The present invention relates to an improved apparatus and method of automatic spindle exchange on a textile machine such as a yarn winder, and more particularly relates to an improved apparatus and method belonging to a turrent type for automatically exchanging a fully packaged bobbin on a spindle with an empty bobbin on another spindle without any interception of the normal yarn winding operation on a textile machine such as a yarn winder of spindle drive.

Although being mainly and advantageously applied to textile machines, the art of the present invention can also be applicable to a system wherein a linear article such as a yarn, a rope or a wire is wound on an axially rotational elongated support. In this connection, however, the following statement will be focused on the case of a textile machine, more particularly a yarn winder, for easy and simple understanding of the art of the presentinvention. I

As is well-known, the typical conventional spindle exchanging mechanisms are found in two groups. In the first group, a pair of bobbin supporting spindles are alternatively connected to a stationary driving source usually in the form of an electric motor. When one of the bobbins is fully packaged, the spindle of an empty bobbin in a stand-by position comes to a working posi tion and the spindle of the fully packaged bobbin is removed to the stand-by position. With completion of the yarn transfer from the old to the new bobbin, the yarn starts winding on the latter now connected to the driving source. In the case of the second group, a pair of bobbin supporting spindles are provided with respective driving sources such as electric motors. When one of the bobbins is fully packaged, the other bobbin replaces the fully packaged bobbin and the yarn is transferred from the latter to the former.

Regardless of the difference in type, it has been experienced through actual utilization of the above illustrated conventional spindle exchanging mechanisms that high rotational speed of spindles, from rest to normal operating speed which is an intense need in the modern mass production systems, results in a difficulty in speed control and that relatively complicated mechanical arrangement forms a bar in a spindle exchanging operation.

Further, high processing speed of the yarn hinders the initial manual yarn winding on the new bobbin after completion of the spindle exchange resulting in production of a great deal of waste thread during the exchanging operation.

A principal object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for carrying out automatic exchange of bobbin supporting spindles on a textile machine without any interruption of the yarn winding operation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for carrying out automatic exchange of bobbin supporting spindles on a textile machine ascertaining the acceleration of the spindles rotational speed without any malfunctions in the winding operation.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus of relatively simple mechanical design for carrying out automatic exchange of bobbin supporting spindles on a textile machine.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method of automatic spindle exchange on a textile machine assuring elevation in the processing speed of the yarn with less production of waste yarn during the exchanging operation.

In order to achieve the above listed objects, the apparatus of the present invention includes a pair of bobbin supporting spindles relatively rotatable around a common axis, means for effecting axial rotation of the respective spindles, means for efi'ecting said relative rotation of the pair of spindles around their common axis for exchange of the spindles, means for controlling the axial rotation of the respective spindles, means for severing and guiding the yarn extending between the pair of bobbins to a spindle newly supplied to a working position by the spindle exchange and means for operating the above-listed means following a preset sequence.

Using the above-specified apparatus of the present invention, the method of the present invention is carried out by replacing the fully packaged bobbin with an empty bobbin through rotation of the paired spindles around their common axis while preserving rotation of the spindle carrying the full packaged bobbin (hereinafter referred to as the old spindle), starting the axial rotation of the spindle carrying the empty bobbin (hereinafter referred to as the new spindle) before arrival at the working position, guiding the yarn portion extending between the point on a line of the new bobbin and spaced from the front end of the new bobbin spindle rendering the guided yarn portion to be engaged with a cut-off formed on the front end of spindles for winding thereon due to the already started axial rotation thereof, severing the referred yarn portion and, finally, stopping the axial rotation of the old spindle.

Further features and advantages of the present invention will be made apparent from the ensuing description, reference being made to the attached drawings, in which;

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an arrangement for exchanging spindles according to the present invention,

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of a gearing mechanism contained within a turn box used in the arrangement shown in FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional representation of the gearing mechanism shown in FIG. 2,

FIGS. 4A to 4C are explanatory drawings for showing a braking mechanism operative on the spindle used in the arrangement shown in FIG. 1,

FIGS. 5A to 5C are perspective views, seen from various directions, of an embodiment of the mechanism for transferring yarn from an old bobbin to a new bobbin, with some relative machine parts being omitted for clear illustration,

FIGS. 6A and 6B are perspective views, seen from different directions, of the cross-joint mechanism and its related parts used in the mechanism shown in FIGS. 5A to SC,

FIGS. 7A to 7F are explanatory schematic drawings for showing the sequential modes of the yarn transfer from an old to a new bobbin,

FIG. 8 is, a side view of an embodiment of the yarn holder finger having means for detecting the severing condition of the yarn,

FIG. 9 is a side view of an embodiment of the mechanism for effecting rotation of spindles around their common axis at the moment of full package,

FIG. is a schematic side view of an embodiment of the free running clutch used in the mechanism shown in FIG. 9,

FIG. 11 is a side view of an embodiment of the arrangement for braking the rotation of spindles for spindle exchange,

FIG. 12 is a front explanatory view of an embodiment of the mechanism for effecting and cancelling a braking action on the spindles rotation.

Referring to FIG. 1, arrangement for exchanging spindles is shown. In the shown arrangement, a pair of spindles 1 and 2 are formed respectively with cut-off grooves l and 2' and are rotationally supported by a turn box 3 at locations symmetric to a pivotal center of the turn box 3 in an arrangement perpendicular to a side surface of the turn box 3. The turn box 3 is axially mounted on a spindle exchanging shaft 4 extending outside from another side surface of the turn box 3. In an arrangement coaxial with the spindle exchanging shaft 4, a spindle driving shaft 5 also extends outside from the above-mentioned other side surface of the turn box 3. The spindle exchanging shaft 4 is connected to a reduction motor 6 by a belt drive 7 and the spindle driving shaft 5 is connected to an electrical torque motor 8 regulated by the yarn tension on the yarn to be wound by another belt drive 9.

The gearing mechanism contained within the turn box 3 in relation to the spindles l, 2 and the spindle driving shaft 5 is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The spindles 1, 2 are rotationally supported by brackets 11 through bearings 12a, 12b, 13a and 13b and the brackets 11 are secured to a cover 14 of the turn box 3. Therefore, both spindles 1 and 2 are in a rotational arrangement with respect to the turn box 3. The spindle exchanging shaft 4 is also rotationally supported by the internal end of the brackets 11 and the cover 14 of the turn box 3 by way of the bearings 12b and 13b and a bearing 16. An outside extension of the spindle exchanging shaft 4 is provided with a pulley 17 secured thereon and connected to a driving shaft of the reduction motor 6 by way of the belt drive 7. As is shown in FIG. 3, the spindle exchanging shaft 4 is provided with a central bore rotationally receptive of the spindle driving shaft 5 through a bearing 18 and the spindle driving shaft 5 extends internally through the tum box 3, an inside end of which being also rotationally supported by the bracket 11 through a bearing 19. Owing to the bearing connection between the spindle exchanging shaft 4 and the spindle driving shaft 5, the spindle exchanging shaft 4 can rotate, for exchange of the spindles, independently from the rotation of the spindle driving shaft 5.

Within the turn box 3, the spindle driving shaft 5 is provided with gears 21, 22, 23 and 14 rotationally mounted thereon through bearings 26, 27, 28, and 29. Gear 21 forms one body with gear 22 while gear 23 forms one body with gear 24. Both gear groups are arranged in a spaced relationship as is shown in FIG. 3. A gear 31 is firmly mounted onto an inside end of the spindle l in a meshing arrangement with gear 21 mounted on the spindle driving shaft 5 and a gear 32 is also firmly mounted onto the spindle 2 in a meshing arrangement with gear 23 mounted on the spindle driving shaft 5. Gear 22 is related to gear 24 by two interconnecting epicyclic gears 33 and 34 as is clearly shown in FIG. 2. Axial supporting shafts 36 and 37 for gears 33 and 34 are secured to arms 38 radially and firmly extending from the spindle driving shaft 5. (In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the arms 38 are omitted.) The epicyclic gears 33 and 34 are rotationally mounted on the respective supporting shafts 36 and 37 through bearing connections.

The aforementioned gearing mechanism forms a differential gear mechanism. Therefore, when a braking action is applied to the spindle 1, then said spindle l is stopped, but the rotation of the spindle driving shaft 5 is transmitted to the spindle 2, and the rpm of the spindle 2 becomes twice that of spindle driving shaft 5; and vice versa. When neither spindle is braked, the rpm of spindle driving shaft 5 is equal to that of spindle 1 and also to that of spindle 2.

A mechanism for applying a braking action to the spindle rotation is shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the spindle 1 extends through the bracket 11. (Because both spindles are provided with similar arrangement, only one of the spindles is referred to in the following explanation.) The bracket 11 is provided with a peripheral cut-off 41 through which a peripheral surface of the spindle 1 is exposed. A pin 42 is fixed on the cover 14 of the turn box 3 and a braking member 43 is combined with the bracket 1 l with its aperture 44 being inserted over the pin 42 in a mutually slidable relationship. The braking member 43 is urged in the direction shown with an arrow in the drawing by a tension spring 46 disposed at one end thereof. Being thus urged by the tension spring 46, the braking member 43 is placed in a direct pressure contact with the peripheral surface of the spindle l for effecting a braking action thereon, as shown in FIG. 4B and further discussed in connection with FIG. 12. It will be well understood that this braking action is realized by the slidable engagement of the aperture 44 of the braking member 43 with the pin 42 of the cover 14. In the condition shown in FIG. 48, a braking action is effected on the spindle 1. When the braking member 43 is pivoted in a counterclockwise direction around the spindle l in the drawing, the spindle l is released from the pressure contact with the braking member 43 as shown in FIG. 4C and the braking action operating upon the spindle l is cancelled. The effecting and cancelling of the braking action on the spindle is performed in the aforementioned manner. A known type of an electro-magnetic braking mechanism can replace the above-described mechanical braking mechanism.

A mechanism for transferring the processing yarn from the bobbin of the old spindle (hereinafter referred to as the old bobbin) to the bobbin of the new spindle (hereinafter referred to as the new bobbin is shown in FIGS. 5A to 5C.

In the arrangement shown in FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C, three cams 47, 48 and 49 are fixed coaxially on a rotational shaft 51 and at its another end, the rotational shaft 51 is fixed axially to a sprocket wheel 52. In combination with this, another sprocket wheel 53 is secured to one end of a driving shaft 54 connected to a suitable driving source such as an individual motor electrically controlled by a signal (not shown in the drawing). Both sprocket wheels 52 and 53 are connected by a chain drive 56 so as to transmit the rotation of the driving shaft 54 to the rotational shaft 51, that is, to rotate the earns 47 to 49. The profiles of the cams 47 to 49 are so selected as to provide the operations hereinafter explained. In an arrangement parallel to the rotational shaft 51, a stationary shaft 57 is disposed to the machine framework through a bushing member 58 as is shown in FIG. 5A. A first lever 59 is pivotally mounted on the stationary shaft 57 at its apex and a lower end thereof is provided with a rotatably disposed cam follower roll 61 contacting the profiled periphery of the cam 47. Another end of the lever 59 is T-shaped, one termination of which is connected to a compression spring 62 fixed, at another end thereof, to the framework of the machine (not shown in the drawing) while another termination of which is provided with a link rod 63 pivotally connected thereto. Another end of the link rod 63 is pivotally connected to an arm 64 fixedly mounted on a shaft 66. At another end, the shaft 66 is related to a yarn transfer finger 67 and it governs the turning movement of the yarn transfer finger 67 around the pivotal axis of the shaft 66 as is described later on in detail.

Coaxially with the lever 59, another (second) lever 68 is pivotally mounted on the stationary shaft 57 at its apex and a lower end thereof is also provided with a rotatably disposed cam follower roll 69 contacting the profiled periphery of the cam 48. Another end of the lever 68 is also T-shaped, one termination of which is connected to a compression spring 71 fixed, at another end thereof, to the framework of the machine (not shown in the drawing) while another termination of which is also provided with a link rod 72 pivotally connected thereto. Another end of the link rod 72 is pivotally connected to an end of a branch of an L- shaped lever 73 and an end of another branch of the L- shaped lever 73 is pivotally mounted on the shaft 66. At an apex thereof, the L-shaped lever 73 tightly holds a shaft 74, which shaft governs the turning movement of a yarn holder finger 76 around the pivotal axis of the shaft 74 as is described later on in detail. The shaft 74 is rotationally supported by the framework of the machine. Further, the shaft 74 governs the turning movement of the shaft 66 and its related parts around the pivotal axis of the shaft 74.

Also in a coaxial arrangement with the lever 59, still another (third) lever 77 is pivotally mounted on the stationary shaft 57 at its apex and a lower end thereof is also provided with a rotatably disposed cam follower roll 78 contacting the profiled periphery of the cam 49 as is clearly seen in FIG. 5A. Another end of the lever 77 is also T-shaped, one termination of which is connected to a tension spring 79 fixed, at another end thereof, to the framework of the machine (not shown in the drawing) while another termination of which is also provided with a link rod 81 pivotally connected thereto. Another end of the link rod 81 is pivotally connected to an arm 82 which is, at its another end, rotatably inserted over the shaft and firmly connected to a cylindrical tube 83 also inserted over the shaft 66. Therefore, the shaft 66 extends through the central aperture of the cylindrical tube 83 and the cylindrical tube 83 is pivotable independently from the pivotation of the shaft 66. Another end of the cylindrical tube 83 is fixedly connected to a cam 84 operative on the yarn transfer finger 67.

Mechanical relationship between the cam 84 and the yarn transfer finger 67 is shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B in an enlarged illustration. As is clearly shown in FIG. 6A, the yarn transfer finger 67 is provided, at its top end, with a cross joint mechanism 86 which is connected to the shaft 66 so as to pivot around the pivotal axis of the shaft 66. A side surface of the cam 84 is particularly profiled as shown in FIG. 6A and the cross joint mechanism 86 is urged to contact the profiled side surface of the cam 84 by a suitable urging means (not shown in the drawing). Because the side surface of the cam 84 is profiled as mentioned above, the yarn transfer finger 67 performs a swinging movement in the axial direction of the cam 84 together with the cross joint mechanism 86 around the supporting axis of the cross joint mechanism 86 as the cam 84 axially pivots.

The locational relationship of the fingers 67 and 76 with respect to the spindles 1 and 2 will be well understood by mainly referring to FIG. 5C, wherein the axial direction of the shafts 66 and 74 and the cylindrical tube 83 is almost perpendicular to the axial direction of the spindles 1 and 2 and the turn box 3.

In the above-described mechanical arrangement, the operational feature of the mechanism for transferring the processing yarn from the old bobbin to the new bobbin is as hereinafter described. With the rotation of the rotational shaft 51, the distance of the cam follower roll 61 from the axial center of the shaft 51 changes in accordance with the profile of the cam 47 and the first lever 59 performs a pivotation around the axial center of the stationary shaft 57. This pivotation of the first lever 59 is transmitted, through the link rod 63, to the arm 64 and the arm 64 performs a pivotation around the shaft 66, which pivotation naturally causes a pivotation of the shaft 66. As is aforementioned, the other end of the shaft 66 is fixedly connected to the cross joint mechanism 86. Therefore, the pivotal movement of the shaft 66 causes pivotal movement of the yarn transfer finger 67 around the pivotal axis of the shaft 66, that is, within a plane perpendicular to the axial center of the shaft 66.

In a similar manner, pivotal movement of the second lever 68 causes pivotation of the Lshaped lever 73 around the axial center of the shaft 74, which shaft is firmly connected with the L-shaped lever 73. Because the shaft 74 is fixedly connected to the yarn holder finger 76, pivotation of the shaft 74 naturally causes a pivotal movement of the yarn holder finger 76 around the axial center of the shaft 74, that is, within a plane perpendicular to the axial center of the shaft 74 in other words, a plane parallel to the axis of spindle l or 2. Together with this, as the other end of the branch of the L-shaped lever 73 is rotationally inserted over the shaft 66, pivotation of the L-shaped lever 73 causes a swinging movement of the shaft 66 and its related parts around the axial center of the shaft 74.

Again in a similar manner, pivotal movement of the third lever 77 causes pivotation of the arm 82 around the axial center of the shaft 66 by way of the link rod 81. This pivotation of the arm 82 causes pivotation of the cam 84 around its axial center by way of the cylindrical tube 83. Due to the contact of the cam 84 with the cross joint mechanism 86 (see FIG. 6A), pivotation of the cam 84 causes a swinging movement of the yarn transfer finger 67 in the axial direction of the cylindrical tube 83 and the cam 84 thus the yarn transfer finger 67 moves on a plane perpendicular to spindles l and 2. Due to the provision of the cross joint mechanism 86, the yarn transfer finger 67 is capable of carrying out two different directional movements combined in a predetermined time-sequential manner, one of the movements being, the pivotation around the axial center of the cam 84 and the other being the swinging in the axial direction of the cam 84.

Referring to FIGS. 7A to 7F, an operational mode of the yarn transfer finger and the yarn holder finger in view of the spindles is shown in a simplified illustration.

In. the disposition shown in FIG. 7A, the spindle 2 is supposed to be fully packaged and the disposition is just after the completion of the yarn transferring operation and, up to this state, both fingers 76 and 67 are positioned in their stand-by position above the spindles l and 2. Upon detection of the fully packaged condition, the turn box 3 performs a rotation around the spindle exchanging shaft 4 and the spindle l, carrying a new bobbin 87, exchanges its position with the spindle 2 carrying an old bobbin 88, as is shown in FIG. 7B, the rotational direction of the turn box 3 being shown with an arrow in FIG. 7A. With completion of this turning movement, the spindle 1 starts its axial rotation and the spindle 2, carrying the package 88, continues its axial rotation, but its rpm is reduced in half. A yarn 89 being processed extends from full bobbin surface to beneath the new bobbin 87 in a contacting relationship as shown in FIG. 7B. The yarn transfer finger 67 pivots downwards from its stand-by position to the position shown in FIG. 7B, this pivotation being actuated by the rotation of the cam 47 in a manner already explained. Then, the yarn holder finger 76 also performs a pivotal movement downwards from its stand-by position towards a space in between the two spindles l and 2 so as to guide the yarn path to a location approximately halfway of the length of the new bobbin 87 as is shown in FIG. 7C. This pivotal movement of the yarn holder finger 76 is actuated in accordance with the already described rotation of the cam 48. Concurrently with this pivotal movement of the yarn holder finger 76, the yarn transfer finger 67 again pivots slightly upwards so as to scoop the yarn 89 in cooperation with the yarn holder finger 76. Next, while the yarn holder finger 76 is maintaining its pivoted position, the yarn transfer finger 67 further continues its pivotation so as to further scoop and guide the yarn 89 towards the front end of the spindle l by hooking the yarn 89 to the curved end of the yarn transfer finger 67 as is shown in FIG. 7D. When the above-described upward pivotation of a predetermined extent is completed, the yarn transfer finger 67 now performs a swinging movement in a direction apart from the package 88 as shown in FIG. 7E, which swinging movement is caused by the rotation of the cam 84, that is, by the rotation of the cam 49. By this swinging movement, the curved end of the yarn transfer finger 67 reaches a location spaced a predetermined amount from the front end of the spindle 1 and also on the elongated axial line of the spindle 1. Until this condition occurs, as the full package 88 and spindle 2 continue their axial rotation, so the yarn winds onto said package 88 under predetermined tension. The yarn 89 hooked by the curved end of the yarn transfer finger 67 is formed in sharply V'shaped arrangement, but maintained under tension. Due to the presence of the above-mentioned state for. yarn at this location, the yarn 89 is now forced toward the front end of the spindle by a cut-off l suitably formed on the front end of the spindle 1 and, the engagement between said yam 89 and cut-off is made by the rotation of spindle l and, thereafter, the winding of the infeed yarn 89 onto the new bobbin 87 now commences, but the yarn 89 extending from the surface of the full package to said engagement point over the curved end of the yarn transfer finger 67 ceases its winding. Thus the axial rotation of full package 88 is stopped, and now there is only more twisting applied on said extended yarn 89 by the rotation of spindle l. The more spindle 1 rotates, the more twist is applied for the extended yarn part 89. This condition is continued, and finally said extended yarn falls as a result of self-severing due to excess of twist. Thus the yarn 89 extending in between the package 88 and the new bobbin 87 is severed, the successive yarn 89 is wound now entirely on the new bobbin 87 as shown in FIG. 7F and the spindle 2 is automatically braked for completion of the yarn transferring operation. Thusly, the processing yarn 89 is transferred automatically from the full package 88 to the new bare bobbin 87 without any interruption to the normal yarn winding operation on the textile machine. The full package 88 is manually removed from the spindle 2 and the spindle 2 is now put in a disposition waiting for the next exchange.

The cut-off grooves 1 and 2' on the front ends of the spindles l and 2 are preferably helically cut in the direction of coiling the yarn onto the new bobbin. This makes the proper engagement between the edge of each cut-ofi groove and the infeed yarn 89 under ten- SlOl'l.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the yarn holder finger 76 is provided with means for detecting the results of the yarn severing action. The detecting means includes a pivotal support 91 disposed to the front end portion of the yarn holder finger 76, a detector finger 92 mounted to the pivotal support 91 by way of a bracket 93, a pair of stopper pins 94 and 96 disposed laterally to the front end of the yarn holder finger 76 sandwiching the detector finger 92 in a spaced relationship and a limit switch 97 disposed to the yarn holder finger 76 in a contacting arrangement with'a top end of the detector finger 92. A bottom end portion of the detector finger 92 is contactable with the processing yarn 89 for placing the yarn at a position approximately halfway of the length of the bobbin 87 (see FIG. 7C).

During the period wherein the yarn 89 is not yet severed, that is, during the period shown in FIGS. 7A to 7E, the detector finger 92 is turned counterclockwise in the drawing around the pivotal support 91 due to contact with the processing yarn 89, which yarn is usually in a tensioned condition, and the top end of the detector finger 92 pushes the limit switch 97. When the yarn 89 is severed, that is, the yarn tension is extinguished, the detector finger 92 tends to turn clockwise around the pivotal support 91 due to its own weight. This clockwise turning of the detector finger 92 may be realized by a suitable resilient means disposed thereto, also. By this clockwise turning, the top end of the detector finger 92 is released from contact with the limit switch 97. Thusly, the severing condition of the processing yarn is represented in the form of the on- 9 and-off condition of the limit switch 97 and corresponding electric signals are generated in accordance with this on-and-off function of the limit switch 97.

Mechanism for starting, the rotation for exchange of spindles around their common rotational axis at the moment of full package is illustrated in FIG. 9 in the form of an embodiment. In the shown embodiment, a yarn traversing frame 101 is pivoted to a stationary shaft 102 and, in the shown disposition, is urged in the counterclockwise direction due to a spring force provided by a tension spring 103 disposed to a termination thereof. Another end of the compression spring 103 is fixed to a machine framework (not shown in the drawing). Upper end of the yarn traversing frame 101 is provided with a cam assembly casing 104 containing a scroll cam (not shown in the drawing) whose rotation effects the traversing movement of a yarn traverse guide 106. On the spindle side of the cam assembly casing 104 and in the vicinity of the traverse guide disposition, a stationary shaft 107 is mounted'onto the extension of the casing 104 and a roller bail 108 is rotationally supported by the shaft 107 in a pressure contact with an outermost yarn layer of the package 88 due to the spring force provided by the tension spring 103. Because the roller bail 108 is in a pressure contact with the package surface, the yarn traversing frame 101 is turned in a clockwise direction around the stationary shaft 102 as the package diameter increases with advancement of the yarn winding operation. On the side remote from the spindle 2, the yarn traversing frame 101 is provided with a screw head 110 and when the package diameter has increased to a predetermined size so that the yarn traversing frame 101 pivots from the position shown with full lines to a position shown with chain-and-dot lines, the screw head 110 operates a limit switch 111 stationarily disposed to the machine framework so that the limit switch 111 effects the running of the reduction motor 6. By this starting of the motor, the exchange rotation of the spindles 1 and 2 around their common shaft 4 (the spindle exchanging shaft 4) results. At the top end of the yarn traversing frame 101 above the cam assembly casing 104, a free running clutch 112 is fixed whose mechanical arrangement is illustrated in detail in FIG. 10. This free running clutch 112 enables, in cooperation with guide rails 113a and 113b formed on the framework, the traversing frame 101 to pivot only in the clockwise direction about the stationary shaft 102, as shown in the drawing.

As is shown in FIG. 10, the free running clutch 112 comprises a stationary support 114, fixed to the top end of the traversing frame 101 a pair of springs 116a and 1 16b fixed to the stationary support 114 at their ends, a pair of balls 117a and ll7b disposed to the free ends of the respective springs 116a and 1161) and a wedge member 118 disposed stationarily to the stationary sup port 1.14 at a location between the two balls 117a and l17b. Therefore, the ball 117a is located between the guide rail 113a and the wedge member 118 while the ball 1l7b is located between the guide rail l13b and the wedge member 118. In this mechanical arrangement of the free running clutch 112, when the yarn traversing frame 101 tends to pivot in the clockwise direction, that is, the stationary support 114 tends to move rightwards, as shown in the drawing, there is nothing to respectively. This locked disposition of the balls 117a and l17b apparently forms a bar to prevent the leftward movement of the stationary support 114, namely a counterclockwise pivotation of the yarn traversing frame 101. As is already described, the yarn traversing frame 101 pivots gradually in the clockwise direction with increase in the package diameter around the stationally shaft 102 and, when the yarn traversing frame 101 arrives at a disposition, shown with the chain-and dot lines in the drawing, the head operates the limit switch 111 so as to start the reduction motor 6. With this starting of the motor 6 the spindles l and 2 perform a rotation around their common axis for the exchange of spindles.

Returning to the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, a shaft 119 is disposed to a framework (not shown in the drawing) encircling the turn table 3 and a lever 121 is pivotally mounted on this shaft 119 in such a disposition that a free end of the lever 121 is contactable with a spindle bracket 1 1 and another end of the lever 121 is pivotally connected to a rod 122 by way of a pin 123. Another end of the rod 122 is also pivotally connected to an end of an L-shaped lever 124 by a pin 126 and another end of the L-shaped lever 124 is also pivotally connected to a pushing member 127 of the free running clutch 112. Returning to FIG. 10, when the two branches 127a and 127b of the pushing member 127 move leftward, as shown in the drawing, the balls 117a and 117!) are pushed out from the locked disposition between the wedge member 118 and the guide rails 1 13a and 1 13b for releasing the wedging action thus allowing the leftward movement of the stationary support 114, that is, the wedging action on the counterclockwise pivotation of the yarn traversing frame 101 around the stationary shaft 102 is cancelled.

In the above mechanical arrangement of the mechanism, the yarn traversing frame 101 pivots in the clockwise direction with the increase in the package diameter and, at the time of full package, and by rotation of the turn box 3 in a clockwise direction the spindle bracket (not shown in the drawing) kicks the free end of the lever 121 in a counter-clockwise direction, that is towards the outside. By this kicking action, the pin 123 is displaced upwardly and] the rod 122 and the L-shaped lever 124 are placed in the disposition shown with the chain-and-dot lines in the drawing. Due to this locational change of the mentioned members, the pushing member 127 puts the free running clutch 112 in a wedge-free disposition and the yarn traversing frame 101 pivots in the counterclockwise direction, being urged by the spring force of the compression spring 103. With completion of this counterclockwise pivotation, the yarn traversing frame 1011 becomes a disposition whereon the roller bail 108 is put in pressure contact with the peripheral surface of the new bobbin now in a position to wind the yarn thereon.

The above-presented embodiment concerns a case wherein the quantity of the yarn to be wound on the bobbin is determined in reference to the package diameter whereas there are other systems to determine the yarn winding quantity in reference to the processing length of the yarn or to the length of the winding time. When the former system is employed in the actual yarn winding process, a counter is connected directly to the delivery roller of the processing yarn and, when the accumulated count arrives at a predetermined magnitude, the running of the reduction motor 6 is stopped in relation to the signal issued from the counter. When the latter system is employed in the actual yarn winding process, a time-switch is used for bringing about the same effect.

Referring to FIG. 1 1, an arrangement for braking the rotation of the spindles l and 2 around their common rotational axis at the time of spindle exchange is shown. In the illustrated embodiment, the spindle exchanging shaft 4 is provided with a cam disc 128 secured coaxially thereon, and the cam disc 128 is provided with a pair of peripheral cut-offs 129a and 129b, symmetric with respect to the rotational axis of the spindle exchanging shaft 4. The cut-offs are operable on the switch 131 stationarily disposed in relation to the cam disc 128 and the switch 131 effects the stopping of the spindle exchanging rotation when operated by the cutoff of the cam disc 128. The peripheral cutoff of the cam disc 128 is so selected that the meeting of the cutoff with the switch 128 takes place at the very moment when the new spindle perfectly arrives at its yarn winding position.

Mechanism for effecting and cancelling a braking action on the spindles axial rotation is shown in FIG. 12 in view of the embodiment shown in Figs. 4A to 4C. In the shown arrangement, the rightward spindle position is supposed to be a position of yarn winding of the bobbin, the leftward spindle position is supposed to be a position of stand-by and the spindles are supposed to rotate in the direction shown with an arrow in the drawing at the time of spindle exchange. At an angular position just before the yarn winding spindle position, a brake cancelling rod 132 is fixed to the machine framework in an arrangement operable on the mechanism for effecting a braking action on spindle rotation. As is also clearly seen in FIGS. 4A to 4C, the braking member 43 is provided with a projection 133 at its non-springed end. With rotation for spindle exchange, the new spindle l approaches the yarn winding position with the braking member 43 being in pressure contact with the peripheral surface of the spindle 1. When the spindle l arrives at the location of the brake cancelling rod 132, the projection 133 of the braking member 43 is put into contact with the brake cancelling rod 132, as is shown with chain-and-dot lines in the drawing, and, with further rotation of the spindle 1, the braking member 43 is released from contact with the peripheral surface of the spindle l and the braking action on the spindle 1 is cancelled accordingly.

As to the fully packaged bobbin, the spindle 2 rotates from the rightward spindle position to the leftward spindle position after completion of the package fonnation without ceasing its axial rotation. In the vicinity of the leftward spindle position, that is, the stand-by position, a solenoid 134 is disposed in connection with means for detecting the results of the yarn severing action, which means is disposed to the yarn holder finger 76 as shown in FIG. 8. A stationary shaft 136 is fixed to the framework of the turn table and a stop pawl 137 is tumably mounted on the shaft 136 with its stem portion being pivotally connected to the solenoid 134 by way of a connecting rod 138. Usually, the pawl 137 is maintained in the disposition shown with chain-and-dot lines in the drawing. During the above-described spindle rotation for spindle exchange, the processing yarn is transferred from the old to the new bobbin and, during this transfer, the yarn is severed as is already explained. This severing of the processing yarn is sensed by the detecting means of the yarn holder finger 76 and a corresponding signal is transmitted to the solenoid 134. Upon reception of the signal, the solenoid 134 pulls (in the disposition shown in the drawing) the connecting rod 138 up and the stop pawl 137 is pivoted counterclockwise about the stationary shaft 136, that is the disposition shown with chain-and-dot lines to the disposition shown with full lines. In thusly deflected disposition, when the spindle 2 approaches the standby position with the braking member 43 operating on the spindle surface, the front end of the pawl 137 comes in contact with the projection 133 of the braking member 43 so as to put the braking member 43 in pressure contact with the peripheral surface of the spindle 2 for braking the axial rotation of the spindle 2.

Mechanism for starting the rotation of the cam arrangement shown in FIGS. 5A to SC is located at a position just before the spindle stand-by position in FIG. 12. That is, a limit switch 139 is disposed to the framework of the turn box 3 at a position just before the spindle stand-by position in the drawing and, when the spindle 2 arrives at this position, the spindle bracket 1 1 operates the limit switch 139. Then, the limit switch 139 generates a signal to let the driving individual motor of the cam arrangement start its running.

Further, relative to the arrangements shown in FIGS. 5A to SC and 12, the apparatus of the present invention is also equipped with a mechanism for temporarily stopping the rotation of the cam arrangement during the period from the starting of the yarn severing action to the completion of the actual yarn severing action.

Although not being shown in the drawing, the sprocket wheel 52 is provided with a notch planted on its side surface. In combination with this disposition of the side notch, a limit switch is disposed to the machine framework in such a disposition that, when the yarn transfer finger 67 comes in the condition shown in FIG. 7E, the side notch of the sprocket wheel comes in contact with the limit switch, whereby the yarn severing action is actuated and, concurrently, the running of the driving source of the cam arrangement is stopped. Upon completion of the yarn severing action, the driving sources running is re-started.

In combination with the above-described limit switch for temporarily stopping the rotation of the cam arrangement, another limit switch is also disposed in relation with the same side notch and the limit switch is operated by the side notch, when the cams perform one complete rotation, so as to stop the running of the driving source of the cam arrangement.

Being provided with the above-described inter-related mechanical and operational features of the various parts of the apparatus of the present invention, the operational sequence of the method of the present invention is given as follows.

l The bobbin on the spindle 2 is fully packaged.

2. The two spindles 1 and 2 startthe rotation for spindle exchange around their common axis, the axial rotation of the spindle 1 carrying the new bobbin is commenced and the axial rotation of the spindle 2 carrying the fully packaged bobbin is still preserved.

3. The cam arrangement for effecting the movements of the yarn transfer finger 67 and the yarn holder finger 76 starts its rotation.

4. Upon completion of the spindle exchanging rotation, the spindle 1 continues its axial rotation and the processing yarn is still wound on the package carried by spindle 2.

5. The yarn transfer finger 67 renders the processing yarn being hooked at a predetermined position, spaced from the front end of the spindle and also on the elongated line of the spindle l. Concurrently, said yarn engages with the cutoff l on the top of spindle 1.

6. The completion of the engagement between yarn and cut-off, and further rotation of spindle 1, causes the winding of the yarn onto the new bobbin, but the yarn extending from the full package to the cut-off is not wound and only twist is applied on said yarn.

7. The severing action takes place due to excess of twist applied to the extended yarn.

8. The completion of the severing action is sensed to stop the axial rotation of the spindle 2.

As is already stated, both spindles 1 and 2 perform their axial rotations simultaneously during the abovelisted processes 2 and 5. In this case, the input rotation is divided into two output rotations utilizing the differential gear mechanism introduced in FIGS. 2 and 3. That is, the processing yarn is wound on the packaged carried by the spindle 2 while the spindle 1 rotates without winding the yarn on its bobbin. Due to this simultaneous rotation of the spindle l, rotation of the spindle 2 is momentarily lowered and the yarn tension is reduced accordingly. This reduction in the yarn tension is adequately sensed and the rotation of the electrical torque motor is escalated by a known tension control mechanism in accordance with this sensed reduction in yarn tension. This escalation in the rotation of the electrical torque motor accompanies corresponding escalation in the rotation of the spindle 1. At the moment when the winding operation is completed, the rotation of the spindle l is escalated sufficiently to a magnitude necessary for yarn winding. This characteristic is very important for the ease of constant speed winding. When the yarn is perfectly wound around the new bobbin on the spindle 1, the spindle 2 ceases its rotation. Thusly reached rotation speed of the spindle l is also controlled by the known tension control mechanism and, therefore, the processing yarn is smoothly transferred from the old bobbin on the spindle 2 to the new bobbin on the spindle 1 without any interpretation to the yarn supply.

What we claim is;

1. An improved apparatus for automatic spindle exchange on a textile machine comprising, in combination, a pair of bobbin supporting spindles, means to support said spindles in a symmetrical arrangement for turning on a common axis, one being in a yarn winding position and the other being in a stand-by position, and for rotation each on its own axis, means for effecting a relative turning of said pair of spindles around said common axis for exchange of said spindle positions,

first means for governing action of said relative turning effecting means upon sensing of a fully packaged condition, a first driving source connected to said relative turning effecting means, means for effecting axial rotation of said pair of spindles, second means for governing action of said axial rotation effecting means in relation to said governing action by said first governing means, a second driving source connected to said axial rotation effecting means, means for guiding a processing yarn from a fully packaged bobbin to a bare bobbin carried by said two spindles, a third means for governing action of said yarn guiding means in reference to action of said relative turning effecting means, a third driving source connected to said third governing means, and means for severing said processing yarn in cooperation with said yarn guiding means, said relative turning effecting means comprising means for braking a spindle, a turn box containing a differential gear mechanism and having an axially fixed spindle exchanging shaft connected to said first driving source and having a face surface, means rotatably car-- rying said pair of spindles on said face surface in an arrangement symmetrical with respect to a rotational axis of said spindle exchange shaft; said spindle axial rotation effecting means comprising said differential gear mechanism and a spindle driving shaft connected to said second driving source; and said spindle driving shaft being connected to said pair of spindles through said differential gear mechanism. 5

2. An improved apparatus for automatic spindle exchange on a textile machine comprising, in combination a pair of bobbin supporting spindles, means to support said spindles in a symmetrical arrangement for turning on a common axis, one being in a yarn winding position and the other being in a stand-by position, and for rotation each on its own axis, means for effecting a relative turning of said pair of spindles around said common axis for exchange of said spindle positions, first means for governing action of said relative turning effecting means upon sensing of a fully packaged condition, a first driving source connected to said relative turning effecting means, means for effecting axial rotation of said pair of spindles, second means for govern-,

ing action of said axial rotation effecting means in relation to said governing action by said first governing means, a second driving source connected to said axial rotation effecting means, means for guiding a processing yarn from a fully packaged bobbin to a bare bobbin carried by said two spindles, a third means for governing action of said yarn guiding means in reference to action of said relative turning effecting means, a third driving source connected to said third governing means, and means for severing said processing yarn in cooperation with said yarn guiding means, said yarn guiding means comprising a yarn transfer finger, a cross joint mechanism firmly supporting said yarn transfer finger and yarn holder finger cooperative with said yarn transfer finger at a time of yarn guiding and severing; and said third governing means comprises a sprocket wheel connected to said third driving source, three prescribedly profiled cams mounted firmly and coaxially with said sprocket wheel, a first shaft connected to said yarn transfer finger through said cross joint mechanism and axially pivotal in reference to a rotation of one of said three earns, a

second shaft connected to said yarn holder arm and axially pivotal in reference to rotation of another of said three cams, a cylindrical tube coaxially but independently encircling said first shaft and axially pivotal in reference to the rotation of still another one of said three earns, a cam fixed to one end of said cylindrical tube in a disposition operative on said yarn transfer finger through said cross joint mechanism, and a connecting arm, lever and rod assembly for relating said three cams to said shafts and cylindrical tube; said yarn transfer finger being turnable in a plane perpendicular to an axial direction of said first shaft and also in said axial direction of said first shaft while said yarn holder finger is turnable in a plane perpendicular to an axial direction of said second shaft.

3. An improved apparatus claimed in claim 1, further characterized in that said first governing means comprises a yarn traversing frame pivotal about a stationary support, a limit switch disposed stationarily onto a 2 comprising a cam disc having a pair of cut-offs symmet-r rically formed with respect to its axis and secured coaxially to said spindle exchanging shaft and a limit switch disposed in relation to said cam disc and connected to said first driving source; contact of said cut-offs with said limit switch causing stopping of said running of said first driving source.

1|! III 

1. An improved apparatus for automatic spindle exchange on a textile machine comprising, in combination, a pair of bobbin supporting spindles, means to support said spindles in a symmetrical arrangement for turning on a common axis, one being in a yarn winding position and the other being in a stand-by position, and for rotation each on its own axis, means for effecting a relative turning of said pair of spindles around said common axis for exchange of said spindle positions, first means for governing action of said relative turning effecting means upon sensing of a fully packaged condition, a first driving source connected to said relative turning effecting means, means for effecting axial rotation of said pair of spindles, second means for governing action of said axial rotation effecting means in relation to said governing action by said first governing means, a second driving source connected to said axial rotation effecting means, means for guiding a processing yarn from a fully packaged bobbin to a bare bobbin carried by said two spindles, a third means for governing action of said yarn guiding means in reference to action of said relative turning effecting means, a third driving source connected to said third governing means, and means for severing said processing yarn in cooperation with said yarn guiding means, said relative turning effecting means comprising means for braking a spindle, a turn box containing a differential gear mechanism and having an axially fixed spindle exchanging shaft connected to said first driving source and having a face surface, means rotatably carrying said pair of spindles on said face surface in an arrangement symmetrical with respect to a rotational axis of said spindle exchange shaft; said spindle axial rotation effecting means comprising said differential gear mechanism and a spindle driving shaft connected to said second driving source; and said spindle driving shaft being connected to said pair of spindles through said differential gear mechanism.
 2. An improved apparatus for automatic spindle exchange on a textile machine comprising, in combination a pair of bobbin supporting spindles, means to support said spindles in a symmetrical arrangement for turning on a common axis, one being in a yarn winding position and the other being in a stand-by position, and for rotation each on its own axis, means for effecting a relative turNing of said pair of spindles around said common axis for exchange of said spindle positions, first means for governing action of said relative turning effecting means upon sensing of a fully packaged condition, a first driving source connected to said relative turning effecting means, means for effecting axial rotation of said pair of spindles, second means for governing action of said axial rotation effecting means in relation to said governing action by said first governing means, a second driving source connected to said axial rotation effecting means, means for guiding a processing yarn from a fully packaged bobbin to a bare bobbin carried by said two spindles, a third means for governing action of said yarn guiding means in reference to action of said relative turning effecting means, a third driving source connected to said third governing means, and means for severing said processing yarn in cooperation with said yarn guiding means, said yarn guiding means comprising a yarn transfer finger, a cross joint mechanism firmly supporting said yarn transfer finger and yarn holder finger cooperative with said yarn transfer finger at a time of yarn guiding and severing; and said third governing means comprises a sprocket wheel connected to said third driving source, three prescribedly profiled cams mounted firmly and coaxially with said sprocket wheel, a first shaft connected to said yarn transfer finger through said cross joint mechanism and axially pivotal in reference to a rotation of one of said three cams, a second shaft connected to said yarn holder arm and axially pivotal in reference to rotation of another of said three cams, a cylindrical tube coaxially but independently encircling said first shaft and axially pivotal in reference to the rotation of still another one of said three cams, a cam fixed to one end of said cylindrical tube in a disposition operative on said yarn transfer finger through said cross joint mechanism, and a connecting arm, lever and rod assembly for relating said three cams to said shafts and cylindrical tube; said yarn transfer finger being turnable in a plane perpendicular to an axial direction of said first shaft and also in said axial direction of said first shaft while said yarn holder finger is turnable in a plane perpendicular to an axial direction of said second shaft.
 3. An improved apparatus claimed in claim 1, further characterized in that said first governing means comprises a yarn traversing frame pivotal about a stationary support, a limit switch disposed stationarily onto a machine framework of said apparatus in relation to said yarn traversing frame and connected to said first driving source, a roller bail contactable with a peripheral surface of a yarn package and a screw head on said yarn traversing frame in an arrangement operative on said limit switch, so as to actuate running of said first driving source, when said yarn traversing frame is put in a tilted disposition around said stationary support due to increase in a diameter of said package contacting said roller bail.
 4. An improved apparatus claimed in claim 3, further comprising a cam disc having a pair of cut-offs symmetrically formed with respect to its axis and secured coaxially to said spindle exchanging shaft and a limit switch disposed in relation to said cam disc and connected to said first driving source; contact of said cut-offs with said limit switch causing stopping of said running of said first driving source. 